Packers counting on a new, improved Nick Perry

Green Bay — Four games in, Nick Perry is seeing a different game. When the Green Bay Packers outside linebacker sets up on the edge, he’s recognizing formations, tendencies.

“I’m seeing stuff — unscouted looks — that I never saw before,” Perry said. “There was uncertainty when I was a rookie. Now, I have a good foundation and I can build off that and play very well.”

The Packers hope so. Without Clay Matthews, they’re counting on Perry and Mike Neal fueling the pass rush. Both had career days in the 22-9 win over Detroit. For Perry, crash-landing for two sacks provided some affirmation. Since the summer, he has said he feels like a different player. The wrist injury that hounded him as a rookie, before landing on injured reserve, isn't a factor. This year, he says he understands the playbook more clearly, too.

Thus, the different hunger Kevin Greene notices in Perry. It wasn't always there in 2012. There has been a “different look about him,” a “different focus" in 2013, the outside linebackers coach said.

Now, the Packers need the new-and-improved Perry to keep producing.

“I’m seeing that fire in his eye and I’m feeling that fire in his heart,” Greene said. “He wants to play this position. He wants to make some plays. He wants to play physical and do some good things. It was good for him to step up onto the stage and feel that bright light and it’s addictive.”

In that win over Detroit, Perry made noise from the right side. He said that’s where he feels more comfortable and also where he expects to play Sunday against Baltimore. Adding that he still needs to improve from the left side, Perry feels "just more natural on the right side." It showed.

Wasting Riley Reiff for a pair of sacks, he displayed a natural torque from that side.

“Since I know the playbook,” Perry said, “I can be more confident out there on the field. I don’t have to think as much. I can play faster than what I normally did as a rookie.”

He’s still playing with a small cast over the wrist he damaged in the 2012 season opener — but he insists it’s not an issue. Greene believes that’s probably one reason for Perry’s refreshed approach, too. He’s not nursing the injury anymore.

“I would think that’s one part of the cloudy thought process that no longer enters his mind — the wrist,” Greene said.

Quickly, the Packers will see if Perry is, indeed, trending in the right direction. He was benched for Neal before Matthews' injury. For much of his first nine games as a pro, Perry hadn't lived up to first-round-pick expectations.

Then he responded with his best game to date. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers said Friday that he has seen "constant progress" in Perry.

Through four games this season, the 6-foot-3, 265-pound Perry has 14 tackles, two sacks and an interception.

"I’ve felt better about Nick this year," Capers said. "With playing time, I’d say he played his best game last week, which is encouraging because I think there were a lot of guys who played their best game last week."

Perry and Neal won't be alone against Baltimore. Greene indicated that he wants to get both Andy Mulumba and Nate Palmer on the field Sunday and “let the young fellas swim.” Green Bay has preferred using an extra outside linebacker, or two, in the past.

Starting Sunday, Green Bay will find out if its better off without Matthews this year than last. The Packers went 3-1 a year ago when Matthews suffered a hamstring injury. The pass rush was inconsistent. Now, Perry, Neal and co. replace Erik Walden, Dezman Moses and Frank Zombo.

Greene wouldn't say if the Packers are better off this year, but he is confident.